Sunday, January 31, 2010

You like me! You really really like me! 100 followers, I can't believe it?! Thank you to all you wonderful readers out there for my lovely comments and wonderful support. I am really glad that I decided to join the blogging community and was able to find so many amazing readers, writers, and wonderful bloggers! I appreciate all the awards that were given to me, I love them all!

What's for grabs you ask?! A $10 Amazon e-mail Giftcard for one lucky winner!!

The Rules:
1. You must be a follower (so start!!!) let me know that you are one!
2. +1 entry for sidebar post or blog blurb (let me know!)
2. You must finish one of the following sentences:
I wish i'd invented.....
I get itchy thinking about...
I deal with rejection by...

Deadline: Friday, February 5th, Midnight Central Time Zone

Feel free to have some fun with it!!! Be creative! I will be using a randomizer to select the winner, that way I'm not picking one of the regulars! So newbies don't worry! I look forward to hearing all of your sentences!!!

I believe every writer has a passion for words, it is essential to improve your craft. If you aren't passionate, your goal of engaging the reader eventually becomes a loss.

I not only want to be passionate in the words I know, but to also embrace the dictionary and the theasarus and learn new words, better my vocabulary, and broaden my skill level. I have a passion for words, however the vocabulary I am currently using could be better.

My goal through blogging, writing prompts and overall my novel is to constantly engage my reader, keep them interested in the writing, the key reason I have my blog. I want to learn a new word each week and use it in a story, not necessarily a long story, but I should be able to use the word in a sentence and utilize it, after all I am the writer. I also want to work on my dialogue, when speaking through characters I want to use more than just 'she said'...

I hope all of you can keep me accountable, and feel free to leave comments sharing your thoughts, ideas, opinions, words, and anything in general! Your feedback is what makes me better!

Saturday, January 30, 2010

We watched Paranormal Activity, I was frightened half way through so we turned it off, only to be encountered with a terrifying dream in replace of it. Nothing whatsoever to do with the paranormal... Here it is... I thought it could quite possibly make a good story.

Her house was quaint, she walked into the living room as she gave the grand tour. Pictures hung on the wall of various places she had visited and what I could only believe to be her family photos. Her name was Casey, she kind and polite. She had invited me over to see her little one, only a year old. I didn't hesitate, her kindness was endearing and it seemed she was just as desperate for friendly conversation just like myself. She led me down the hallway, we passed two doors before we reached her little girls room. She sat in her playpen laughing as her mother went to pick her up, she quickly handed her off to me and I looked at her, she was so sweet, so innocent, and looked identical to her mother, blond hair and beautiful blue eyes.

Casey insisted I stay for dinner, though I didn't want to impose, she continued to insist until I said yes. Her husband joined us, very peculiar man, he made me a little uneasy, but I paid no mind as we all got settled at the table. Casey went to the lay the baby down before we ate and thats when it all happened. Her husband grabbed me, said nothing, just grabbed my arm and pulled me out the backdoor, I tried to hold onto something tight, scream for help but no one listened, I couldn't see Casey, no baby, nothing. He pulled me close to him and covered my mouth told me not to scream, tears trickled down my face, I was terrified, my heart felt as if it would beat out of my chest. He shoved me in the trunk, I could tell he had done this before, he knew exactly where to place his car, there were also several markings on the inside of the trunk that I could only assume were scratches. I whimpered and banged as loud as I could in hopes someone would notice, but it seemed like a quiet night, no cars, no world, nothing to hear me cry out.

The car stopped. I heard nothing, trapped in silence I once again tried everything to open the trunk, to escape, to be ready to run. Nothing would move. I heard footsteps, my heart began to pound harder.

I will need to fill in the blanks... but here is the second half I remember...

I am tired and weak, my eyes burn from the tears, and my stomach hurts from the injuries, he kicks me to keep me moving, the path is long, trees hang low and the wind and noises around further torture my mind. As we walk along the beaten path he is joined by something he calls 'meat' a huge creature that I can only describe as an oversized aligator. I look around for an escape route and then I notice, pictures hung on the trees, actually paintings, of women and children, each individual as there own tree... that's when I realize... it's where they have been buried. I want to cry but try to hold back in fear of him noticing. He pushes me further until we reach a tree, a chair has been hung and he demands I sit down, when I don't he forces me, grabbing my already badly beaten stomach, I oblige and scream that I am sorry, to not hurt me. He doesn't care, no words will make him change his mind. Once he has me seated he puts a long widened band around my ankles, it cuts into my skin, but I know this will be the least of my worries as I see him walk over to a log with supplies, he smiles, tells me this will be fun. Fun for him I am sure, but not for me. He places a silver piece in my mouth, and points to the box on the log. He tells me if I let go or move it out of my mouth it will blow my brains, he cackles, but I am not cackling, my hands are weak, and my mouth is tired but I must keep it in.

Friday, January 29, 2010

Thanks to the lovely Imogen Heap and her song Hide and Seek she gives me much inspiration when I am writing, I love her voice, and the feeling her music gives me... she is amazing!!!

where are we?
what the hell is going on?
the dust has only just begun to form
crop circles in the carpet
sinking feeling

spin me round again
and rub my eyes,
this can't be happening
when busy streets a mess with people
would stop to hold their heads heavy

hide and seek
trains and sewing machines
all those years
they were here first

oily marks appear on walls
where pleasure moments hung before the takeover,
the sweeping insensitivity of this still life

hide and seek
trains and sewing machines (oh, you won't catch me around here)
blood and tears (hearts)
they were here first

Mmmm whatcha say,
Mmm that you only meant well?
well of course you did
Mmmm whatcha say,
Mmmm that it's all for the best?
of course it is
Mmmm whatcha say?
Mmmm that it's just what we need
you decided this
whatcha say?
Mmmm what did she say?

The spark... that one brilliant idea that pops into your head at any moment, the one where you have to find a notebook, a cell phone, or a napkin to write it down. As writers we all have it, it comes and goes throughout the day, at all moments we are thinking about the piece we are working on, or a book we are reading, we live for words, those we write, and those we read. It is part of us.

The problem is, sometimes the idea falls a little short. I have great ideas, the problem is none of them can start a story. They are all in the middle of the book, or at the climax, I never seem to quite start at that beginning, think of that perfect line. How the character and the reader first meet, I am longing to have that connection, and yet at the moment I haven't been able to find the answer, the piece I am looking for to really start the journey off.

I have found that the more and more an idea pops into my head it is never a start to the beginning, do you find the same to be true? Does the beginning of the story come rather easily to you, or do you ignore not having a beginning and write what you know? Any books or exercises that seemed to help?! Any knowledge is welcome!

People in general never stop to think about how much goes into creating a character. Those of us who aren't readers (which none of my fellow bloggers fit this profile) however there are people who don't read, don't really know how to relate to a character. Now those of us who read love to relate with a character, find a piece of them inside one person, maybe not the main character, but they might know what it's like to feel the pain of another character.

Do readers ever stop to think how much went into creating the character to get the emotion the writer wanted to convey? Now I don't believe that every character needs a background, a detailed description of their life, but for those main characters I find it crucial.

Common Questions to be asked... Where do they work? What do they do? Do they enjoy their job? Is he/she a people person?

There are so many questions to be asked, even basics such as how do they like their coffee? Or does your character sing in the car or are they too uptight? Now those are just silly questions, but my point is that to create a character is as much as the process as the plot. You want to know your person, feel their pain, feel as if you are them.

I truly enjoy discovering the likes and dislikes of my character, if they are well traveled, or if they prefer tea over coffee, silly little things like that allow you to be more in touch with your character and that is something I find fascinating!

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

I visited the library yesterday, which is one of my favorite things to do! So many books just waiting to be read, I feel like a kid in a candy store! This time I went for something more specific than my usual general fiction, I went to find books about writing. Now for a little background on me, I haven't gone to school for writing, I do want to take some creative writing courses, english and such, I just haven't had the time to fit it in, but my goal this year is to start getting serious, researching through books and classes to find where I need to be.

So I borrowed several books from the library and the one I've started on is A Natural History of the Romance Novel by Pamela Regis, now I don't know if reading this book is a good idea or a bad idea, but I have always been told to go with your gut. So I've chosen to read this book, broaden my horizon, learn something I might not learn on my own. At this point I am like a sponge, just waiting to soak up as much information as I can get my hands on!

All of my fellow bloggers have been amazing in sharing their knowledge of writing, tips on spelling and several other errors or worries that writers come across, it has been amazing and I feel like I have a whole new family to lean on for support.

Through this process I am finding that I am not only learning about myself as an author/writer, but also has a person. I am learning that challenges are something that I look forward to when writing, editing a piece or completely starting over doesn't defeat me, but only makes me that much more intrigued on the ending. So for now I am going to continue reading the informational books, and if I learn one thing then it was worth it!

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

This is a continuation of a piece of leila, you might want to read that portion first! I figured since everyone else was participating in Teaser Tuesday I might as well join in on the fun!

She had a stack of magazines, tissues, a bag of candy and a video all in her hand. The door wasn't easy to open with all of these items, but Leila watched as her assistant managed to use her hips in a fashion that men would have fawned over. She smiled as she set everything on the desk. "Leila don't bother picking up, I'll take care of it after you leave" Amanda sat the candy on the coffee table Leila had insisted on purchasing when she first opened her company, it was her favorite and it made her office seem a little more like home. She listened to her assistant and left the remaining papers on the floor. She was confused by what Amanda had planned, but as she was motioned to sit down on the couch she obliged. "Now after every break up I go through" which Leila couldn't have imagined was many at the ripe age of 19 but she allowed Amanda to continue, "I always finish with a romantic comedy, candy, and as many magazines as I can get my hands on. Since you are the boss I knew we would have all three lying around" Amanda was correct, she loved the idea of having magazines and candy at her disposal, any room for ideas she was game. The movies she didn't always have lying around but she had a flat screen TV for promotional campaigns and monthly meetings with her staff, so it seemed she was well-equipped for Amanda's break up remedy.

She stared at The Proposal, one she had heard Amanda talk about during lunch with the other ladies in the office, Sandra Bullock had done an outstanding job from what was said, and she hadn't been out in awhile so she wouldn't have known. "You propose we watch this now?" Leila asked, the thought of watching a movie while she could have been working her tears away sounded like a terrible idea, but with such enthusiasm from her assistant she decided to go for it. "Okay put it in" she didn't want to back out so she grabbed some laffy taffy before she could. Amanda stuck the dvd in and was sweet enough to get everything started "Enjoy" she said as she set the remote down. Enjoy thought Leila, did she honestly think that she was going to watch it by herself, certainly not "Join me" she motioned for her to have a seat, and Amanda willingly and cheerfully sat down.

So today I thought about trying something a little different, a writing exercise if you will. Normally I start the day with several thoughts in mind, but I think I am experiencing the beginning of the week block so I thought that instead of not blogging, I would do an exercise to help give a little inspiration, and use my imagination!

Start with Imagine your a shark, create a story line, any of your choosing:

Imagine you're a shark, confused by what she had just read, Eloise tried again Imagine you're a shark, close your eyes and feel yourself imersed in water, swimming through the ocean, she closed the book, her mind had made up crazy things before, but she was afraid this was truly a first. Her first day at such a different school had really been difficult, she remembered visiting with her parents the week before, they had been told the school was for gifted children, but she was unaware they were going to have to broaden their minds to imagining herself as a shark. She had realized the school was more for the gifted in powers, more than gifted in arts, she wasn't sure this was the place for her, but they had accepted her so she knew she needed to stick it out, ands he was never one to back down from a challenge. She looked around the common room and saw several students, reading, studying, and just chatting with friends, she felt a bit jealous at all the friendships that had already been formed, she had arrived to the school late so hadn't had a chance to get acquainted with everyone. She told herself to stop worrying, the time would come for lunch and there she would have time to meet people.

End

I went with the first thing that came to my mind, and I promised myself I wouldn't change it to make it better, the whole point of the writing exercises is to get your mind to think differently, try things outside the box... so I did, and I most certainly wrote about something I normally wouldn't!

Monday, January 25, 2010

Rules: Answer the following questions with Single Word answers then pass this along to 5 other bloggers. Make sure you let them know about it though.

Your Cell Phone? iPhone
Your Hair? Wavy
Your Mother? Amazing
Your Father? Insightful
Your Favourite Food? Pizza
Your Dream Last Night? Clouds
Your Favourite Drink? Soda
Your Dream/Goal? Published
What Room Are You In? Living
Your Hobby? Reading
Your Fear? Failure
Where Do You See Yourself In Six Years? Family
Where Were You Last Night? Bed
Something That You Aren't? Rich
Muffins? Blueberry
Wish List Item? Table
Where Did You Grow Up? Iowa
Last Thing You Did? Cleaned
What Are You Wearing? Shorts
Your TV? Fame
Your Pets? Asleep
Friends? Encouraging
Your Life? Wonderful
Your Mood? Satisfied
Missing Someone? Hubby
Vehicle? Mazda
Something You Aren't Wearing? Glasses
Your Favourite Store? Hardware
Your Favourite Colour? Orange
When Was The Last Time You Laughed? Hour
Last Time You Cried? Saturday
Your Best Friend? Dawn
One Place You Go To Over And Over Again? Work
Facebook? Yes
Favourite Place To Eat? Home

5 Blogs I'm Giving The Over The Top Award To:
Stef at 52 Weeks of Wordage
Heather at See Heather Write
Terresa at The Chocolate Chip Waffle
Guinevere at This is not my day job
Rachel at Open a Window

So here it is, the writing on the wall. My first attempt, but most certainly not my last. I have taken pictures upon request, the one above is me contemplating what to write (my husband thought it was cute)

and the second picture is of the view that inspired me. The board that I purchased isn't what I wanted so I will be changing that this week, but the concept is excellent, its a whole new world of writing when I stand in that corner of the room.

This is what I wrote:

The building remained empty, quiet, and rather eerie. The path was lined with tall trees, very secluded, I stood at the entrance, the only thing standing in my way was the locked gate and No tresspassing sign. It was a tease, an abandoned area that laid beautifully in the middle of nowhere, and I couldn't even take a quick peek? I contemplated as the birds flew around unaware of the position I was in. Who would know if I just walked a little further? The more I thought about it, the more I saw myself inching closer to the closed gate. The gate was simple, it locked in the middle, used more for keeping vehicles out rather than people. I decided to take a chance, I climbed over the gate and began to walk down the path, as I turned to look back at the entrance I began to realize no one else was around, it was even quieter, for such a place being abandoned it was in beautiful condition, the landscaping had certainly been cared for, the building was long, at one point it could have been some sort of plant, but now it was just wasted space. As she neared the building she felt a little more dangerous, she inched further, she wanted to look inside.

I have decided that I will continue this weekly process to get a little more inspiration, to continue a story or just random thoughts as they come through my head, each Sunday I will write, and every Monday I will post!

Sunday, January 24, 2010

The world is seen differently when sitting on the floor, things you thought were missing and lost forever suddenly are seen under the nearby coffee table. A wine cork is under your entertainment center -this being from the party over a week ago- in result makes you relaize you should have a cleaned a little more thoroughly.

You watch your anmials roam around the room, but you never sit and think about what they see when they look up at you. So intimidating, so tall, giant like, but when you lay on the ground they immediately seem less threatened, less concerned with your height.

As you lay on the ground you also suddenly realize how tall 12ft really is. How big a room is, how big the furniture is in the room, its a whole different world as you lay on the floor... I suppose it gives me a little more inspiration... and another look on life

Saturday, January 23, 2010

Now he does this often, but today was extra special. We purchased the wet erase board for writings on the wall, but he also thought picking up a few notebooks would be a good idea, and of course a new notebook is always wanted, so I agreed. He had found one he liked, and since it seemed the only one of its kind he said he must pick it up.

When we left the store I had myself a cute pink composition book, and he had a designed composition book, now he isn't a writer so I had no idea what he planned to do with it but I didn't question since I had gotten to purchase one as well. As we were walking out to the car he told me that the notebook was for us, everyday he would write something in the notebook, even if just those three words all women love to hear (I love you) and if I chose to write back I could, but it wasn't a necessity. My dear husband was going to write me letters, very romantic, very unlike him... but I loved the idea. It brought me back to when we first met, we had written letters back and forth to one another... not romantic all the time, sometimes just discussing the struggles we faced, the feelings we had about our families, typical issues that are discussed. I loved it, and I had missed it. I had shared this morning that I had missed that part of us, not to make him jump to the gun and fix the issue, but just to let him know how much I loved those days. So now from this point forward he will be writing in a notebook to me.

Now with that being said I still had my composition book, and the one thing I am terrible at is when I write something down on a sheet of paper, if I hate it I tear it out and throw it away. It is a terrible habit and I dislike it, so I too have made a promise today, every word I write in this notebook will remain in the notebook, my husband made sure to hear me say it aloud. I am still grasping for air at the thought... I love to keep my notebooks in pristine condition... lovely... handwriting beautifully laid out... nothing a mess. Just thinking about it makes me panic, but my husband shared this with me

- Notebooks are special, you buy it brand new nothing written, the paper awaiting the many thoughts that fill your day, as you grow older so does your notebook, it grows with knowledge, a story, a part of you... and every piece you throw away takes away from the experience and the journey. Once they are complete its full of life -

With those words I realized that I could be missing key points in my stories... my life... or just in general I could be taking away from the journaling experience, so I have made the promise to keep the notebook with all its pages, its potential battle wounds, because that is what makes the notebook real!

So after a lunch discussion with my mom I decided to join her for a late night movie, she chose The Lovely Bones. Now I really had no idea what I was getting myself into, but I am always game for a movie night!

My Thoughts...

It was interesting, I was very intrigued from the get go. Susie Salmon is truly a sweetheart, a little girl who has a tender heart, cares for a little penguin in a snowglobe, silly but adorable. She loves the same thing all children love, to play, to take pictures, to make memories... and then of course she is murdered (I give nothing away, you would have seen it in the preview).

The man who murdered Susie Salmon was creepy, I sat through that entire movie completely creeped out... this writer has some very vivid thoughts... I know now watching the movie that the book would be an impossible read for me, it would keep me up at night... terrify me... because we all know a book is far more descriptive than a film.

The one thing I left there thinking about was being stuck in the "in between" Susie at parts said it was wonderful, then at other parts - when she had to sleep - she had to re-live the awful night all over again... I don't think I could do that... and I hope to never have to!

Overall I would say it was a very good movie, and I am sure several people very much enjoyed the books, but I did leave the movie theater still feeling a little off!

This is my midnight movie review... since I didn't get to blog earlier in the evening I thought I would give you a little tidbit!

Friday, January 22, 2010

Last night I had chinese food with my husband, and we were lucky enough to get three fortune cookies! Yes I consider this lucky, and of course my hsuband knows how much I love them so he gave me the extra... and I thought these fortunes were cool, and they gave me the inspiration for the writings on the wall... that I will explain momentarily.

1. Ideas you believe are absurd ultimately lead to success!! 2. Be curious always! For knowledge will not acquire you: you must acquire it.

So between these two fortunes (which I was inspired by) and some of the blogs I read this morning I have decided to start - writings on the wall - now for those of you who don't know what I am talking about let me explain, which unless your inside my head no one knows what I am about to do. Now this may seem crazy, but I am going to literally write on the wall.

This weekend I am going to set up a blackboard/chalkboard or just a big sheet of paper and I'm going to write. Yes it is absurd, and yet don't you think it's kind of brilliant? I always write on a pad of paper, or on my laptop... of course I have changed locations, from libraries to coffee shops, but I want something different... something out there... would it make a difference if I wrote on the blackboard? If I wrote in a different part of the house, while standing up, will any of it make a difference? I will let you know how it goes! If it is a success I plan on making Mondays writings on the wall a weekly thing... so wish me good luck, and if you find yourself wanting to try it, let me know your findings!

Thursday, January 21, 2010

Today I was inspired... Leila is one of the characters I cherish most... she will be shared about a lot, and today I had a little thought that I needed to write down, so I figured why not share it with my fellow bloggers. So here it is with all it's beauty & errors!

As always comments are appreciated!

Papers flew everywhere, the pencil holder tipped over to send the pencils and pens to plummet to the floor. Leila pulled her hands to her face and tears fell like a waterfall. She had made a huge mess of her office, and hadn't felt any better. She walked over to her chair and sat down, still making sure that the back of her pencil striped skirt didn't crease. How could he do this? She thought, he was supposed to marry her, and instead of getting the proposal she thought he had planned, he had ended it, and left her to pick all the pieces. She was thankful no make-up had been applied that morning, she hadn't felt up to it, sick to her stomach and barely able to climb out of bed and take a shower let alone do both her hair and her make-up. Her hair wasn't as great as she normally kept it, but her auburn locks still laid with a nice wave over her white button-up lacey blouse. She had to clean herself up before someone walked in unannounced. She had to continue her day, regardless of how she felt, but at the moment she had no idea what she wanted to do, why she came to work, she supposed because there was nothing else to do, and things needed to get done.

"Leila" a voice over the intercom came through, Leila had begun to pick up the papers along her office, "Yes" she mustered, though she did a slight whimper, she hadn't wanted to show emotion at the office. "I need to fax the client information for Mr. Jackson, did you sign the last sheet?" she had, it was one of the many client files she had spent hours compiling that now laid all over the floor. "it's in here, I can bring it to you" but before she could finish she saw Amanda, her assistant standing in front of her. Leila was on her knees still picking up all the pieces to her recent over dramatic fit. "Oh my Leila, hun sit down" it was one thing she didn't like about Amanda, Leila was in her lower thirties and didn't think that Amanda at age nineteen should really be calling anyone hun, but rather than dwell on it she pulled herself up off the floor and sat on the couch which was closer than the chair that sat behind the desk. "You know that part of the perks of owning your own business is the ability to not come to work when you are better off at home" Amanda spoke so softly, so sweet, and also extremly naive, she had cute tight blonde curls, a few which fell in her face, though normally a headband of some sort held them back, her blue eyes sparkled with concern and her curvy silhouette would have her father wanting to kill any guy who even looked in her direction. She was beautiful inside and out, and that was why she was hired. "I'm fine Amanada" they both were aware of the lie she had just told, and instead of hiding behind it she deiced to devluge a small amount of emotion "the truth is, that being at home is the last place I want, making my life about work seems like the only other viable option" it was true, she had no family to see at the moment, they all lived a few thousand miles away and flying to cry on their shoulder just seemed silly when in a few days it would have all eventually blown over.

Amanda sat there for a moment as she watched the tears stream down Leila's face, Leila wasn't loving the situation but embraced the moment. "Give me two seconds" Amanda stood up and walked out the door and closed it quietly behind her, Leila wasn't sure what she had gone to do, but assumed that it was enough time for Leila to try and pull herself a little more together. She straightened her blouse and skirt once more and went back to picking up the papers and her pencil holder. She pulled her hair back and took some deep breaths, Patrick wasn't worth the tears, and yet she couldn't help but cry.

Last night was difficult to fall asleep, several thoughts danced around in my head. I was excited to get this blogging process underway, though i told myself that several posts a day simply wasn't necessary at the beginning, slow and steady wins the race, so I put my thoughts on paper, and saved them for another day.

I am working on becoming a chick lit writer, and in doing so I find it helpful by reading several different types of chick lit authors, among other books to broaden my horizon and possibly make my book slightly unique, yet still marketable. This week I am reading Alphabet Weekends by Elizabeth Noble. It is cute, I don't think I will use that many characters at the beginning, because I found it overwhelming and a little difficult to get into at the beginning, normally I don't push myself to continue reading, but my sister insisted, and I am glad she did because I am now enjoying it quite a bit. The author at this point that has given me the most inspiration would have to be Susan Elizabeth Phillips, she is brilliant and I never want to put her books down, and believe me, I've read several.

So on the road to becoming the author I want to be I have been writing at least a little something every day. I choose random places to visit, listen to conversations, join in on hang outs I normally wouldn't go to, just because I might learn a little something new about them. My co-worker gives me a lot of drama, which I love to incorporate into the story, of course only the pieces that intrigue me are used, the character is nothing like her.

This morning I have been pondering on beginnings. I haven't given it much thought because normally when I am writing I just have too many thoughts to really take the time to decipher what point in the book it would fit in best, but the more and more I thought about the beginning, the more and more I wanted it to be perfect. Engage the reader they always say, and thats exactly what I am going for... I think last night it came to me...

He told her this wasn't a fairytale and they weren't meant for happily ever after.

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Just a little about myself before I begin my journey through the blogging world. You won't hear a lot about my daily life, my family, or myself, only the struggles that I experience, the triumphs I have, and the breakthrough moments I discover while on the path to creating my novel.

I would like to be a part of the chick lit writer realm, and any insight or views you have of my writing I am always looking for what you think, if you were intrigued, you hated it, any type of comment will be helpful.

I plan on sharing little tidbits that I am working on, at the moment I am still unravling the many thoughts that travel through my mind during the day. Stories about Anna & Franklin will be the one's that I will share the most, but other individuals that I recently discovered, such as Leila who is a character I am most excited about at the moment. I know they won't exist in the same novel, but my hope is that they will all exist in the same world, and with the help of opinions and thoughts it will help me embrace my inner self in each one of the stories.